Representation review

Our Councillors represent different areas of Waitaha/Canterbury. Ahead of the next local body elections in October 2025, Council is proposing that we combine the Ashburton District area with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, to form a larger Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency. This leaves Selwyn/Waikirikiri as its own constituency.

We’re proposing calling the constituencies Selwyn/Waikirikiri and Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi.

The proposal also includes realigning the Christchurch city constituency boundaries to the current Christchurch City Council wards.

What is a representation review?

A representation review looks at the balance of Councillors representing an area with regard to population and geographical areas.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires councils to undertake a representation review every six years.

For a regional council, the review must cover:

  • The number of electoral areas – constituencies (local councils use wards)
  • The boundaries of those constituencies and their names
  • The number of Councillors to represent them.

To ensure effective and fair representation, there are four things we must consider:

  • The number of people represented within each constituency area (population)
  • The alignment of communities of interest within each constituency
  • The alignment of constituencies to local council boundaries or wards
  • How many elected Councillors should represent each constituency (each Councillor should represent roughly the same population +/- 10 per cent).

What was considered

Currently, we have seven constituencies, with two Councillors elected from each one.

Based on current boundaries and population, South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi is over-represented, Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi is under-represented, and our Christchurch/Ōtautahi constituencies do not align with the current Christchurch City Council wards.

Earlier in the year, Council considered some options and asked the community for their feedback. The feedback was closely split between two of the options. Download the full results of the feedback (PDF, 425KB).

The proposal

Council’s proposal combines Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, addressing the population growth in Selwyn/Waikirikiri and allows for a ratio between population and Councillors closer to the criteria set out in the Local Electoral Act.

Feedback earlier in the year showed that was the community’s preferred option.

Note: Mana whenua representation is not included in this review. Our Council has two Ngāi Tahu Councillors who represent mana whenua interests across all of Waitaha/Canterbury. This was achieved through the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 and is not part of this consultation.

Submissions have now closed.

Our Councillors represent different areas of Waitaha/Canterbury. Ahead of the next local body elections in October 2025, Council is proposing that we combine the Ashburton District area with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, to form a larger Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency. This leaves Selwyn/Waikirikiri as its own constituency.

We’re proposing calling the constituencies Selwyn/Waikirikiri and Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi.

The proposal also includes realigning the Christchurch city constituency boundaries to the current Christchurch City Council wards.

What is a representation review?

A representation review looks at the balance of Councillors representing an area with regard to population and geographical areas.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires councils to undertake a representation review every six years.

For a regional council, the review must cover:

  • The number of electoral areas – constituencies (local councils use wards)
  • The boundaries of those constituencies and their names
  • The number of Councillors to represent them.

To ensure effective and fair representation, there are four things we must consider:

  • The number of people represented within each constituency area (population)
  • The alignment of communities of interest within each constituency
  • The alignment of constituencies to local council boundaries or wards
  • How many elected Councillors should represent each constituency (each Councillor should represent roughly the same population +/- 10 per cent).

What was considered

Currently, we have seven constituencies, with two Councillors elected from each one.

Based on current boundaries and population, South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi is over-represented, Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi is under-represented, and our Christchurch/Ōtautahi constituencies do not align with the current Christchurch City Council wards.

Earlier in the year, Council considered some options and asked the community for their feedback. The feedback was closely split between two of the options. Download the full results of the feedback (PDF, 425KB).

The proposal

Council’s proposal combines Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, addressing the population growth in Selwyn/Waikirikiri and allows for a ratio between population and Councillors closer to the criteria set out in the Local Electoral Act.

Feedback earlier in the year showed that was the community’s preferred option.

Note: Mana whenua representation is not included in this review. Our Council has two Ngāi Tahu Councillors who represent mana whenua interests across all of Waitaha/Canterbury. This was achieved through the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 and is not part of this consultation.

Submissions have now closed.

Page last updated: 02 Sep 2024, 05:05 PM